The man wore a purple-gold crown inlaid with gems to bind his hair, a golden headband depicting two dragons contending for a pearl resting at his brow. He was clad in purple-gold robes. His face was as fair as jade, his temples sharply defined as if cut by a blade, his eyebrows like ink paintings. His tall, slender figure exuded an imposing and heroic aura, handsome and transcendent. A faint starlight shimmered around him as he walked with his hands clasped behind his back, like the morning sun slowly rising from the east, making the entire deck seem to come alive with vitality and radiance.
On the deck, indeed on this entire great vessel, there was no one who did not recognize this noble and refined-looking man.
His surname was Mo, given name Baiyu, Dao title Shenghui.
He was a disciple of the renowned Jing Shi Immortal Realm in Lingluo Heavenly Domain, taught by the famous Qing Shuang Mystic Immortal who shook Lingluo Heavenly Domain.
He himself was not only one of the Ten Immortal Prodigies of Lingluo Heavenly Domain but also an elder of the Lingluo Immortal Mansion.
That was not important.
What was important was that he was an Upper Immortal bearing the decree of the Immortal Dao.
The nobility and status of his identity were far beyond what someone like Shangguan Dong, a mere Luo Upper Immortal, could compare to.
Mo Baiyu was a Great Wilderness Spirit Immortal.
As for what level of cultivation or realm this Great Wilderness Spirit Immortal possessed, no one knew.
Nor did anyone care.
Because his Great Sun Radiance Treasure Body, bestowed by the Nine Heavens alone, was enough to inspire awe and fear.
As was well known,
any Immortal bearing the title would receive the grace of the Nine Heavens, rewarded with Great Sun Radiance bloodline.
Do not underestimate this Great Sun Radiance bloodline. This thing was more effective than any miraculous Immortal pill or elixir. Once one possessed the Great Sun Radiance bloodline, not only would the path of cultivation be smooth and unobstructed, but one could also gestate Great Sun Radiance Fortune.
And that was just the Great Sun Radiance bloodline.
Once one bore the decree of the Immortal Dao, they would receive the Great Sun Radiance Treasure Body bestowed by the Nine Heavens. Like a flood dragon transforming into a true dragon, they could soar to the heavens in a single leap.
Their bloodline, acupoints, blood, internal organs, even every inch of skin, every breath would contain the power of the Great Sun Radiance. Their physical body would be as solid as rock, possessing immense strength. Even without deliberate cultivation, they would be this powerful.
And that was secondary.
Even more terrifying was that the physical body of an Upper Immortal bearing the Immortal Dao's decree could transform into a Great Sun, its vast, sun-illuminating might as dreadful as heavenly wrath.
And that was just the Great Sun Radiance Treasure Body bestowed by the Nine Heavens.
It must be known that without exception, all who bore the decree of the Immortal Dao were unparalleled geniuses of heaven-defying talent. Mo Baiyu was no exception.
Apart from the Great Sun Radiance Treasure Body bestowed by the Nine Heavens, it was said he himself had gestated three minor Fortunes.
That's right!
A full three minor Fortunes. One of them was said to be the 'Wind Rises, Clouds Surge' that once roamed the Great Wilderness in ancient times. Someone like Shangguan Dong needed to rely on the Great Sun Radiance bloodline bestowed by the Nine Heavens to gestate a single minor Fortune.
Yet Mo Baiyu, without relying on the Great Sun Radiance bestowed by the Nine Heavens, had gestated three powerful minor Fortunes.
This was the gap.
The gap between an Immortal and an Upper Immortal bearing the Immortal Dao's decree.
When Mo Baiyu appeared, everyone on the deck, regardless of gender, whether they were Immortals or ordinary cultivators, whether they were outstanding geniuses or seniors who had cultivated for many years, all stood up, cupped their hands in salute, and respectfully called out: "Upper Immortal Shenghui."
This was no longer a matter of currying favor with Mo Baiyu, nor a matter of fearing to offend him or not.
Rather, the Immortal Dao decree Mo Baiyu bore meant his existence, in a sense, represented the Immortal Dao itself.
The salutes of the crowd were also an expression of respect for the Immortal Dao.
This included Luo Upper Immortals like Shangguan Dong and his father, Shangguan Feixing.
Although Lei Lie was a descendant of the illustrious Hao Lei Family and could disregard a Luo Upper Immortal like Shangguan Dong, he dared not disregard an Upper Immortal bearing the Immortal Dao's decree like Mo Baiyu.
Looking across the scene,
only four people did not salute. Not only did they not salute, they did not even rise to their feet.
One of them was Gu Qingfeng.
The old Daoist also did not. Neither Yunyan Xianzi nor that dashingly handsome youth named Yi Shangxing rose to salute.
Gu Qingfeng leaned against the ship's railing, reclining in his chair with his legs crossed on the table. He ate spirit fruits while squinting his eyes, watching these people as if enjoying a spectacle.
Yunyan Xianzi remained as aloof as ever, having sat quietly in her chair from beginning to end.
The handsome youth named Yi Shangxing wore a faint, bewitching smile at the corner of his mouth as he observed the crowd.
The old Daoist didn't even lift his head. Since sitting down, he had been drinking jar after jar without pause.
"How dare you!
How dare you four not salute upon seeing Upper Immortal Shenghui!"
A person behind Mo Baiyu stepped forward, pointing at Gu Qingfeng and the other three, angrily rebuking them.
Seeing no response, that person was about to make a move when Mo Baiyu waved his hand and said with a faint smile, "These four distinguished guests are not Immortals of the Immortal Dao, so naturally there is no need for any salutes."
Mo Baiyu's words left the crowd somewhat confused.
That handsome youth was a demon; everyone knew that and could sense it.
That fellow with no cultivation or Fortune, who claimed to be a Worthy One, was also known to all.
But was that slovenly old Daoist also not an Immortal?
If he wasn't an Immortal, then what was he?
Most puzzling was Yunyan Xianzi. She was clearly an Immortal, so how was she not an Immortal of the Immortal Dao?
Could it be true, as the rumors said, that the Immortal aura on her was a disguise?
But if her Immortal aura was disguised, then what was her true identity?
A demon?
A devil?
A ghost?
Unknown.
No one could guess either.
Among those present, only Old Huang seemed to grasp a hint of the meaning.
And precisely because he grasped a hint, his expression grew increasingly grave.
"I have arrived here abruptly, with no other intention. I wonder if I have disturbed everyone's refined enjoyment?"
Mo Baiyu's handsome face wore a faint smile. His deep, calm eyes paused for a moment when they fell upon Yi Shangxing, then looked at Yunyan Xianzi, pausing again for a while. He glanced at the old Daoist, and finally, his gaze settled on Gu Qingfeng.
"What do you think?"
Gu Qingfeng replied with a laugh.
"I heard that previously, in Jin Yang Heavenly Domain, a passenger on the ship was attacked by a demon beast but was fortunately rescued by a mysterious person. It is said that mysterious person had neither cultivation nor Fortune, and was the legendary Worthy One. Presumably, that should be you, sir?"
"That's right, I am that Worthy One."
"Oh?"
Mo Baiyu's gaze swept over Gu Qingfeng, back and forth, for a long time, yet he could discern nothing. He said, "I am Mo Baiyu. May I ask for your honorable name, sir?"
Gu Qingfeng did not respond. Instead, someone spoke for him.
"This one is Great Lord. Great Lord naturally has the surname Da, given name Laoye."
The speaker was none other than that handsome youth named Yi Shangxing. After answering for Gu Qingfeng, he said with a smile, "Right?
Great Lord?"
"Exactly!
I am surnamed Da, named Laoye! The 'Da' from 'the greatest under heaven', the 'Lao' from 'ancestor', the 'Ye' from 'Heavenly Lord'!"